'Spending, quality mismatch at BBMP schools'

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Udayashankar said the annual cost of education per student in BBMP-run schools is Rs 10,370, Rs 4,000 more than what the State government spends every year.

"We are trying to find out as to why there is so much difference in the per student expenditure at BBMP schools and that in the State schools," said Udayashankar.

He blamed the shortage of teaching staff in the Palike schools for the students' poor show in the exams. "Nearly 300 posts are vacant in the Palike-run schools. The proposal for recruitment of teachers had been cleared by the standing committee on establishment and administrative reforms. But it is now gathering dust in the chief minister's office for his approval," said Udayashankar. He appealed to Mayor Sharadamma to press the chief minister to clear the  files at the earliest.

Udayashankar also asked the Palike to start the process of buying uniforms, school bags, shoes, socks and study materials for the Palike-run schools soon. As many as 18,280 students, including 11,559 girls, studying in the 137 BBMP-run schools and colleges. The process of procuring these materials should start now, so that the students get them before the schools reopen.

"The Palike students should not feel inferior to the students of private schools. There should be enough teachers in the schools once students return from the vacation. It will also encourage parents to send their children to these schools," said Udayashankar. He suggested that the Palike officials  go for a short term tender of Rs 7.58 lakh for the procurement of these materials. He demanded that a statue of Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar be installed at Lalbagh or Cubbon Park, a preferred destination of tourists from India and abroad.

"Along with the statue of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, Rajkumar's statue should also be installed.”